Community group says gun violence is down

Omaha 360 scheduled its crime update presentation weeks before crime stats became a sticking point in the mayoral race.

Dozens of community members came together Wednesday, saying they have made progress in reducing gun violence.

“We're moving in the right way. We ended 2012 with the lowest level in seven years,” said Willie Barney with the Empowerment Network.

So far this year, there have been seven homicides in Omaha. In all of 2012, there were 41; in 2011, 43. Barney said in the past six years, the city averaged 40 homicides each year.

“We're not satisfied with this because every one of these numbers indicates a life that's been impacted,” Barney said.

Barney praised the work of churches, neighborhood groups and summer-job programs for lowering crime when it typically spikes in the summer.

“A 51 percent decrease in May, June, July with all of those other activities going on. There is no accident that when our young people are working, and they have positive activities and they have places to go in the summer, we have seen a measurable decrease in gun assaults,” he said.

Barney also acknowledged Teela Mickles for her work with Compassion in Action.

“The fact that the crime goes down in the summer, and then we know that our kids are becoming safe -- that was an amazing, wonderful surprise,” Mickles said.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer knows it will take the help of community leaders to continue making progress.

“I'm proud of the work that we've done,” Schmaderer said.

Schmaderer said the department formed an additional gang unit this year, allowing coverage seven days a week, and said more staff has shifted over to the homicide unit. He said the Shotspotter program has expanded to cover more of the city.

The chief said all those actions will help reduce crime as summer begins.

Omaha 360 wants more businesses to hire teens and young adults year-round to give them a positive outlet.

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